The Chargers plan to activate Hurst (hip) from IR ahead of Thursday night's game against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Hurst last saw game action in Week 10, but his looming return to the mix arrives at an opportune time, with fellow tight end Will Dissly still sidelined with a shoulder injury. With that in mind, Hurst should have an opportunity to contribute as pass catcher Thursday while working alongside Stone Smartt, who caught five passes for 50 yards in Week 15 with Dissly inactive.

Strange was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury.

According to Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union, head coach Doug Pederson said that Strange sustained an AC joint sprain in last week's 32-25 loss to the Jets. Fortunately, Pederson said that Strange will be fine to play in Sunday's game at Las Vegas, but the tight end may need to upgrade to full practice participation by Friday to avoid taking a designation into the weekend. After Evan Engram (shoulder) placed on injured reserve last week, Strange stepped in as the Jaguars' top tight end in the loss to New York and turned some heads by recording 11 catches for 73 yards on 12 targets. Strange could struggle to reach that lofty target count again in Week 16, but he should nonetheless represent one of the top options in the passing game for quarterback Mac Jones.

Fant practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday due to a knee injury, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Fant has exactly three catches in four straight contests, compiling a 12-81-0 line on 19 targets during that stretch. He's now enduring some practice restrictions to kick off Week 16 prep, but there's been no indication he's in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Vikings.

Otton didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury.

Since earning 10-plus targets in three consecutive games from Weeks 7 through 9, Otton has mustered a 15-179-0 line on 25 targets over the last five games. The downturn in production was likely a byproduct of Mike Evans' return to the lineup Week 12, but Otton also has just three red-zone targets over the last four games and hasn't scored a touchdown during that time. Otton's health is now worth tracking as the Buccaneers prepare for Sunday's contest at Dallas.

Hurst (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

Hurst practiced without limitations Tuesday and Wednesday after being designated to return from injured reserve Monday. If Hurst is activated from IR and plays Thursday for the first time since Week 10, he could step in as a starter with Will Dislly (shoulder) having been ruled out. However, Hurst may not take on a robust snap count if cleared to play, as Stone Smartt has fared well as a pass catcher the past two weeks and could challenge Hurst for playing time.

Dissly (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

Dissly will miss a second consecutive game due to the shoulder injury. Hayden Hurst (hip) is listed as questionable and could be activated from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game to restore some depth at tight end, but if not, Stone Smartt would have a clear path to serving as the Chargers' top pass-catching option at the position. Dissly's next chance to take the field will come Dec. 28 against the Patriots.

Ertz (concussion/rest) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Ertz sustained a concussion in the middle of the second quarter in this past Sunday's win at New Orleans. With no activity to speak of to begin Week 16 prep, he may be hard-pressed to make his way through all five phases of the concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles. No matter, Ertz will have two more chances Thursday and Friday to mix into drills and potentially put himself on a path to play this weekend.

Alie-Cox (hip) didn't practice Wednesday.

The VCU product played through his hip injury in Indianapolis' Week 15 loss to the Broncos and failed to record a stat across 28 total snaps (22 offensive and six on special teams). Wednesday's DNP is likely an indication that the injury worsened Sunday, putting Alie-Cox in jeopardy of missing the Week 16 divisional matchup against the Titans. His likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to play.

Bates played 42 of the Commanders' 78 snaps on offense and hauled in his lone target for a six-yard reception in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Saints.

Bates and fellow reserve tight end Ben Sinnott (42 snaps, 1-7-0 receiving line on one target) turned in nearly identical lines in Week 15 in terms of both playing time and production, with both seeing their roles expand after starter Zach Ertz (concussion) left the game early. If Ertz can't clear concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles, another near-even timeshare at tight end between Bates and Sinnott could be in the offing. Sinnott profiles as the more fantasy-friendly option of the two, as the rookie second-round pick recorded 49 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns during his final collegiate season at Kansas State.

Sinnott played 42 of the Commanders' 78 snaps on offense and recorded a seven-yard reception on his lone target in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Saints.

Though the Commanders invested a second-round pick in April's draft into Sinnott, the 22-year-old tight end out of Kansas State has handled a relatively muted role during his rookie campaign. His reception in the Week 15 win was just his fifth of the season, but he could see his best opportunity to date to produce in this Sunday's game against the Eagles if top tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) is unable to play. After Ertz logged just 18 snaps against the Saints before departing, Sinnott and John Bates (42 snaps) finished with an even split of the playing time at tight end.